I started my planetarium software search using CPWI, which was ok. However, there are rumors about a version 9 which will be much more functional. I received a free Special Edition of Starry Nights 8 with my last Celestron purchase, and found it utterly lacking. I have been living this struggle for at least a year. Presumably the bug with the Himalia orbit on Stellarium will eventually be patched but there is no easy way for the user to update Jovian satellite orbits.Įdited by Nicole Sharp, 14 December 2022 - 04:36 PM. Not sure if Starry Night can do this though. The software should just need an internet connection to get the free orbital updates. You shouldn't have to pay for orbital updates since these are freely available from online sources. Then you can decide whether to upgrade or not when new versions are released. But it's a one-time purchase without any subscription or renewal fees. Not sure what the difference is between the different versions of Starry Night. How does that compare to The Sky from Software Bisque?

Starry Night from Simulation Curriculum was my top choice as a payware alternative to Stellarium. I connect my mount and observatory to ASCOM Device Hub using their specific drivers and use 'Device Hub Telescope' as the mount driver in my programs. There is an ASCOM helper program called WiFi Scope that lets you connect it to your ASCOM based Windows programs through your home WiFi. The main issue is if you can reinstall the application if the subscription is expired. The description says though that renewal of the license is optional, and the software will continue to run without renewing the subscription, presumably just without any new updates. I would like to avoid any subscription-based software if possible. IMO the planetarium features of TheSkyX Pro are better than others I have played around with. I only use the planetarium features of TheSkyX Pro. I was able to recover the download and was able to reinstall the program. When I called and gave them my license number I was told that I had to renew my yearly fee, no exceptions. My HDD died and I lost the original installation download.

If you don't renew the yearly fee you are basically cut off from all service, questions. The upfront cost is high and requires a yearly fee to get updates and post stuff on the forum. I am going to follow along and see what users say.

Stellarium astronomy